Programs that are a must for any PC User!

Hey guys, here is a list of programs you should have on your computer

AVG Free Edition

You can see in previous blogs how I am not a big fan of some of the more "main stream" anti virus programs like Norton, etc. This anti virus is FREE, works wonders, low maintenance, and Free

Click Here

Spy bot search and destroy

Some people like it, some don't. For the ones who don't, they don't know what they are talking about. Its a great program with a lot of add-ons in the advanced section that are a awesome

click below



Ad Aware

You know... I'll admit it, I didn't like this program at first, and I still don't use it too often, but I will say this, where spybot fails, ad aware normally cleans up the rest.

Click Here

Spyware Blaster

Spyware blaster isn't a program that will clean and scan your computer. What it will do is prevent Active-X based spyware, adware, dialers, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs from being installed in the first place. With its auto update feature, this program will stay up to date on its own as well. Everyone loves this program and why shouldn't they! Here is the download link for it

Click Here

Firefox

This is a web browser I will always love. Not only is it safe and secure, but it has all sorts of add-ons to it including an ftp program "fire ftp," themes, and other neat toys

Click Here


Object Docks

I love this little windows tool bar toy. You know hot on the macs, there is this tool bar at the bottom that expands and retracts when you move your mouse over it? This is the program. Install this and impress your friends with your extra cool computer!

Click Here!

There are a lot more programs then this, but these are some of my fav. More are to come!

Thanks,
David Shay
Computer Guys
(951) 743-3895
david@computerguys.cc

Make Your Computer Start Up Faster

In my line of work, I deal with other people's computer all day long and the first thing I see is how long it takes for the darn thing to turn on. From what I have experienced, I would say that everyone who is reading this blog should start following these steps because it will dramatically improve the speed of your system and how fast it starts up.

Clean up the start reg.

This will work with Windows XP, 98, and 96. It will also work with windows 2000 but you have to download msconfig from this site: http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html

(For 2000 users... ignore steps 1 and 2.)

To do this...

1. go to the start menu, and click on run

2. Type: "msconfig" and click OK

3. A window should pop up that says System Configuration Utility.

4. Go to the far right tab where it says start up

5. Ok, you have two options here. You can either click "Disable all" or manually un-check the boxes one by one. I understand that most of you will have no idea what all this stuff is. So... just think of this...

6. You will want almost everything unchecked except for the following... antivirus (Norton, AVG, McAfee, etc...), and If you have a pda, your active sync program, any specialty programs like backup programs, or objectdock. Those should be the only ones checked. Everything else like adobe stuff, or AOL, or this or that. Just un-check it.

7. Reboot your computer

8. When it starts up you will see a window explaining that your start up has been changed yata yata yata, blah blah blah. Check the box that says "Don't show this again," and click ok.

And your done

Feel free to expand on this info if you have anything to add.

God Bless,
David Shay
Computer Guys
david@computerguys.cc

If it aint broke, fix it before it is.

In today's world, computer problems have simply become dismissed as an expectation. It doesn't have to be that way. Don' t get me wrong... there will always be spyware and viruses. There will always be some little bug in there trying to make your computer life less then perfect. But consider this.

Consider the idea of enjoying your computer, and feeling free to have a
fast computer that runs the way you want it to, doing what you want it to.
How is this possible?!? Short of having us take care of your computer/s monthly
there are a few different ways to help keep your computer running the way
it was intended to.

1. Go to google and look up these three "free" programs and have them run
at least once a week

a) AVG Free Edition

b) Spyware Blaster

c) Spybot

2. Don't click on "Free Offers!" While online you will see all these free offers to get a FREE IPOD!, or FREE PS3, or what ever. All those links are going to send you to is trouble!

3. Don't go to porn sites. Ok... put it this way... if you do want your computer messed up, go to porn sites. It is the quickest way to needing to call us and fork out the dow to get us to fix the darn thing.

4. Don't download free music. Im sure you all have heard the term "There is no such thing as a free lunch." RIGHT? That statement is so true when it comes to the internet. When downloading free music, games, programs, warez, etc... you could be doing a few things.

a) The industry doesn't like when you steal programs and music, so they put out "fake" downloads that will bring your computer to a point where you can't even turn it on.

b) When using Bearshare, limewire, etc... all of those (P2P) programs, you are litterally downloading someone elses problems. Its like having unprotected sex with alot of people, eventually you will pick up something. So the moral of the story is... pay for your music.

Here is the good news about music, there is a site called http://www.allofmp3.com

Its a russian site that will sell you music for like 3 bucks an album. It is so cheap, totally legal, and completly safe. Check it out.

5. Follow steps 1 through 4 and you will ge in good hands. This is no guerentee that your computer will stay perfect forever, but it will be WAY better off.

OH!!! one last thing, stay away from free online games as well. Better yet, stay away from anything free on the internet. Don't download anything unless you are totally sure it is ok.

Just remember this one rule: "There is no such thing as a free lunch"

God Bless,

David Shay

Owner

Computer Guys